January 2012 NPD

[Hedon]

http://business.financialpost.com/2012/02/10/u-s-video-game-sales-down-34-in-january-npd-group/

Quote

U.S. retail sales of video-game hardware, software and accessories tumbled 34% in January to US$750.6-million from a year earlier, researcher NPD Group Inc. said today in an e-mailed statement.

Sales a year ago were US$1.14-billion, when the industry benefited from titles such as ?Dead Space 2? and ?Little Big Planet 2,? NPD reported.

Microsoft Corp.?s Xbox 360 led the console category with sales of 270,000 units, down from 381,000 a year ago, David Dennis, a product manager for the company, said in an interview, citing NPD data.

?We?ve shown that we can deliver new experiences by updating the Xbox experience with new software,? Dennis said. ?We?re bringing more value to the 360, we?re bringing more experiences with Kinect and new software. It?s like every year there?s a new Xbox.?

Dennis declined to comment on reports that the Redmond, Washington-based company will introduce a new console in June at the annual E3 video-game industry show.

Retail sales of packaged video games have fallen sharply in the past year as consumers purchase games for play on smartphones and social networks such as Facebook Inc., NPD reported.

The Port Washington, New York-based research firm estimates sales of games through alternative channels accounted for an additional US$350-million to US$400-million.

Sony Corp. had ?solid results? for the PlayStation 3 in January with retailer promotions such as ?Play Days? helping increase sales for the console and its peripherals, said Patrick Seybold, a spokesman, in an e-mailed statement.

The Tokyo-based company plans to begin selling its PlayStation Vita handheld console in the U.S. and Europe on Feb. 22.

Xbox leads NPD, leads worldwide for console sales, as well as software sales. It's starting to walk away from the competition it seems.

[neoadorable]

Congrats to MS but still waiting for my dividend or royalty...especially now that I'm buying games like crazy on two of their platforms! Where is the money, Nelson? Heck, I can't even get free MS points outta them even with the rewards program and spending so much on their products.